This circular route to the summit of Arran's highest peak is quieter than the Brodick approach and suitable for more experienced hillwalkers. It explores the mountain's magnificent north ridge as well as the adjacent, dramatic peak of North Goatfell.
Very rocky mountain footpaths, crossing some very steep terrain with scrambling in places. Any more difficult scrambling can be avoided.
Bus to Corrie.
Corrie.
A sign alongside the road indicates the correct lane which branches west from the A841 at the southern end of Corrie. There is a bus stop along the main road just to the north; if arriving by car it is possible to drive up the lane, taking a left fork along the way, to park on the left opposite a waterworks before the track becomes unsurfaced (there is alternative parking to be found further north along the A841 in Corrie itself). Begin the walk by continuing along the track until a path - signed for Goatfell - turns off to the right.
The path runs alongside a fence for a time. It crosses a small burn, and has been greatly improved where it formerly crossed a boggy section. The open birch woodland is left behind at a kissing gate; continue the ascent, soon passing through a second kissing gate. It now climbs more steeply up the moorland, with good views back and some fine waterslides visible in the cascading Corrie burn to the left.
Eventually the gradient eases a little as the path enters the lower reaches of Coire Lan, and there are first views of Goatfell at the left end of the great ridge backing the corrie. Ignore a path off left that fords the burn - this is used as the descent route - and instead continue ahead up into Coire Lan.
The path is well constructed until high in the corrie before eventually petering out into an eroded slope. Continue up to reach the ridge at the bealach between North Goatfell and Mullach Buidhe. From here you could extend the walk if you wish by turning right for a straightforward detour up to the summit of Mullach Buidhe, before returning to the bealach.
Otherwise head left; it is possible to follow a path that completely bypasses North Goatfell on the east side, but our route heads up steeply to take in the peak. Just north of the summit look down the dramatic ridge to the Saddle and the majestic peak of Cir Mhòr beyond - an eroded path heads down to the saddle from here. There is some easy scrambling up to the top of North Goatfell from here, but trickier scrambling on the descent beyond - the latter can be avoided by following a good bypass path round the west side of the summit at a high level, starting from near the top of the ridge coming up from the Saddle. The path rejoins the ridge just beyond North Goatfell, and then descends steeply to the bealach to the south.
From here the ridge rises dramatically with a series of granite pinnacles. Keen scramblers may attempt to go over these, whereas hillwalkers can take a path which bypasses them on the left (east) side. Beyond there is a steady pull up towards the summit, with a boulderfield to cross along the way.
The summit is a wonderful viewpoint. The great granite ridges of the other Arran peaks look very dramatic but perhaps not quite as dramatic as from North Goatfell; the rest of the view, however, is more extensive, extends across the Clyde estuary and even to Ireland on a clear day.
Begin the descent down the east ridge, bouldery at first and then on a good path. On the shoulder of Meall Breac the main 'tourist' descent path branches right off towards Brodick Bay; to return to Corrie, keep ahead along the shoulder on a rougher path. Further down the path descends to the left to eventually reach the Corrie Burn. Cross this on stones (tricky in spate) to rejoin the outward route on the far side, then turn right to retrace your steps down to Corrie.
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